Memorial Cup: Eight players to watch at Canada’s junior hockey championship
DRAFTED PLAYERS
Anthony Duclair, Quebec Remparts
A third-round pick from the 2013 draft, Duclair spent half the season with the New York Rangers, then joined Team Canada for its goldmedal run at the world junior hockey championship. At the trade deadline, the left winger was sent in a package deal to the Arizona Coyotes for Keith Yandle as the Rangers geared up for a Cup run. He has 26 points in 22 playoff games.
Frederik Gauthier, Rimouski Oceanic
A Maple Leafs first-round pick in 2013, he won gold with Team Canada and the President’s Cup with the Oceanic. He has 16 points in 20 playoff games for the QMJHL champions. A shutdown centre, he’ll play against all the top lines for the other three teams.
Michael Dal Colle, Oshawa Generals
The fifth overall pick by the Islanders from last summer’s draft, Dal Colle is a physical force at six-foot-two, 190 pounds. He’s most dangerous on the power play. The left winger can make big plays and little plays. Has a knack for scoring big goals.
Rourke Chartier, Kelowna Rockets
A fifth-rounder in 2014 by the San Jose Sharks, Chartier’s offence exploded this year with 82 points in 58 regular-season games. The winger has 20 points in 16 playoff games for the Rockets, a team loaded with offence.
UNDRAFTED PLAYERS
Nick Merkley, Kelowna Rockets
Merkley, a centre, led the Rockets in scoring with 90 points in 72 games. The NHL ranks him 23rd among North American skaters, down from a mid-term rank of 13, perhaps because he’s only five-foot-10. But he could go in the top 15. “Underrated,” says Mark Seidel, chief scout for North American Central Scouting. “Works hard and can make plays. Very smart. A winner.”
Mitch Vande Sompel, Generals
Vande Sompel is either a puck-moving defenceman or a defensively minded winger. Generals coach D.J. Smith plays him in both positions. At five-foot-10, he’s a bit small. Versatility could be his strength. The NHL places him 34th among North American skaters. “A slick player who needs to get much stronger,” Seidel says.
Dmytro Timashov, Quebec Remparts
From Ukraine, Timashov scored 90 points in his first season in the Quebec league to lead the Remparts and all rookies. A winger, he’s small — five-foot-nine — but dynamic, very strong and fun to watch. The NHL has him at 58th in North America, a late-second rounder or early third. “Size is obviously (a) detriment,” Seidel says. “He distributes the puck exceptionally well.”
Simon Bourque, Rimouski Oceanic
Was a finalist as the top defenceman in the QMJHL. He’s mobile, too. He had 10 goals and 38 points this season as he took his game to the next level. He is not ranked by the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau but could be a fourth-rounder. “He showed more grit than we have seen previously this year at times,” says Seidel. “He’s never going to be a point producer.” Kevin McGran